A popular landlord who ran several pubs in the Stafford area was unlawfully killed in a car crash in the United States, a coroner has ruled.

Keith Austin, aged 63, was instantly killed when the car he was travelling in with his wife and two friends was hit from behind by a car driven by a drunk driver, an inquest heard yesterday.

Mr Austin, whose pubs included The Vine Hotel in Stafford, was on holiday with his wife Jenny and two friends when the crash happened on Route 66 in Peach Springs, Arizona, on November 6 last year.

A post mortem showed Mr Austin suffered a broken neck due to the force of the smash allegedly caused by Philbert Watahomijie who was driving behind Mr Austin with four friends.

South Staffordshire Coroner Andrew Haigh heard yesterday that because the crash had happened on an Indian reservation the FBI had launched an investigation into the crash.

The Arizona district attorney has now charged Mr Watahomijie with vehicular homicide and he is awaiting trial in the USA. The trial has been delayed due to his own serious injuries.

Mr Austin’s body was returned to the UK last November. The former English Electric worker’s wife and their two friends were also severely injured in the crash. Mr Austin, of Long Compton, Horton, formerly ran The Chetwynd Arms, in Brocton, as well as the The Greyhound at Colton.

About six years ago the couple moved to The Hartley Arms in Wheaton Aston.

Recording a verdict of unlawful killing Mr Haigh said: “I am satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that he (Mr Watahomijie) was intoxicated at the time and his driving amounts to at least driving without due care and attention.”